Talking @ the opening with fellow artist Ben Wadler

Face painting at the entrance

Gina and I at the Azucarera Gallery Opening

Kassie a faithful art connoisseur next to her favorite painting

One of my watercolor paintings 'Rapture' by m.diaz

watercolor 'Horsewoman' by marisol diaz

hanging at the entrance - crowd is gettin bigger

Hub with current students at Azucarera Gallery

Chatting with other artists

watercolor painting 'Warrior'

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The art opening was a whole lot of fun and I'm thankful to all the fam and friends that showed up and made that place a happenin' hub of bestial amicability! It will be sad to see the furry little friends of original paintings that sold go- but I'll be sure to document them well. There are more pics, but the outdoor air and sun is beckoning me...

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Gregg in the packed Gallery

The opening was a great success. Since Gregg Emery is a Dean and instructor at the Dwight-Englewood School, there were many former and current students as well as faculty support.

The postcard circle

A circle was made using the announcement cards by family who attended the opening reception, Devin and Alexandra.

Substratum painting by gregg emery - Sold

This particular painting was worked over several times during the past year. The crackling paint effect was achieved while working in a below freezing studio space.

Gregg and Former student Jerry Igdalev with his girlfriend Nadia

It was great seeing such an amazing turnout in this new alternative exhibit space. The work looked beautiful, the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and a good time seemed to be had by all.

work in progress - Sugar Cane - by marisol diaz for Azucarera this July

A professional liason and friend, Nova Gutierrez is in the process of fulfilling a life-long dream- opening her own gallery! As we are both educators, it's a hectic, precious and vital time for us. We're ending the academic school year, chaperoning proms, walking the yearly, but unique, recessionals that are our graduations. However, along with all of this we are celebrating and championing the opening of the gallery AZUCARERA.

Azucarera is an artist run gallery opening June 1, 2009, in the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem, NYC. Exhibits at AZUCARERA will emphasize the creative work of new and emerging artists who identify as women of color, indigenous, LGBTQ/Two Spirit, working class, and/or feminist. AZUCARERA is a transnational, multigenerational space that recognizes and celebrates the artistic work that energizes and sustains our diverse communities.

This new gallery fulfills a mission to be more inclusive of those who have been most excluded in the art world vernacular. The show in which I am participating in is entitled The Soul of Sweet Delight inspired by a line in William Blake's Poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Here are some peeks into my works in progress:

In Progress Watercolor - Cherry by marisol diaz

Watercolor in Progess Blueberry by marisol diaz

This gallery will prove to be a wonderful door and opportunity for women of color! Currently there is a CALL FOR ART WORK for this Soul of Sweet Delight exhibit with submissions due June 22th! There is still time! If you are interested in this gallery and can't make this show, stay tuned, there will be future call for entries!